With the launch of Phase 2 of the Integrated Case Management (ICM) System on April 2, 2012, the Province is taking another important step in protecting and supporting B.C.'s most vulnerable citizens, said Minister of Social Development Stephanie Cadieux.

ICM is a modernized system that is needed to support critical social services, including child-protection services, child-care subsidies, income and disability assistance and the Employment Program of BC, that are vital to thousands of British Columbians.

This long-overdue technical upgrade will ensure that critical case information is safe, secure and accessible, thus protecting and supporting people's privacy. Using the upgraded system, staff will be better able to appropriately share and protect information and manage individual case files between ministries, which will result in better, faster service for individuals and families.

ICM is being implemented in five phases. Phase 1 of ICM was implemented in November 2010. Phase 2, which has been under development since then, is now ready to launch - on time and on budget.

Introducing Phase 2 requires a temporary suspension of existing information systems. As a result, all Ministry of Social Development employment and income assistance offices will be closed on Friday, March 30, 2012. Regular phone service and online application services (via the Self-Serve Assessment and Application) will also be unavailable.

Anyone with urgent needs, who cannot wait until offices reopen on Monday April 2, should contact Service BC at:

• Victoria: 250 387-6121

• Vancouver: 604 660-2421

• Elsewhere in BC: 1 800 663-7867

These numbers are also posted on the Ministry of Social Development's website at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/hsd/

Implementation is expected to be successfully completed before ministry offices reopen on the morning of Monday, April 2. Ministry of Children and Family Development offices will maintain their regular hours of operation.

ICM is a partnership between the ministries of Social Development, Children and Family Development, and Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government.

For more information on ICM or to view an online demonstration of the system, please visit: www.integratedcasemanagement.gov.bc.ca

Contact:

David Haslam
Ministry of Social Development
250 356-1670